Obituary of Brian Gerald Morgan

MORGAN, Brian (1950-2007) Brian Morgan, B.A. (Toronto, 1973), B.A., M.A. (Oxford, 1976, 1978), LL.B (Dalhousie, 1977). Born in Lethbridge Alberta, April 27th, 1950. Died peacefully at home, in Toronto, March 19th, 2007. He is survived by Ann Wilton, his wife of 32 years, children Andrew (Joanne Boyle), Eric (Tracy O�Donnell), Colin and Catherine, his mother Audrey Morgan of Nanaimo, BC, brothers John (Cheryl) of Nanaimo and Paul (Nancy Price) of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, sister Sarah of Halifax, numerous nephews and nieces, and sister-in-law Carol Wilton of Timmins, Ontario. He was predeceased by his father, Frederick Morgan. After a distinguished academic career, which included a Rhodes Scholarship, a first in law at Oxford, and the highest standing in law from Dalhousie Law School, Brian clerked for Mr. Justice Brian Dickson at the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1979, he joined the litigation department of Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt in Toronto, becoming a partner in 1983. Brian thoroughly enjoyed the practice of law. His wide ranging civil litigation practice included commercial disputes, administrative law matters, libel and slander, and intellectual property. He acted in the first case decided by Supreme Court of Canada under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as the first leading case on remedies under the Charter. He served as a member of Osler�s Executive Committee and a Chair of the Compensation Committee for four years. He contributed to the profession as the Editor in Chief of the Commercial Litigation Quarterly, and wrote many legal articles. He very much enjoyed his role as mentor to many young lawyers. He balanced these professional activities with community involvement, including as the Chair of Osler�s Pro Bono Legal Services Committee for 17 years, teaching a civil liberties course at the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto from 1980 to 1987 and serving as President of the Canadian Rhodes Scholars Foundation. He was a director of the Advocates Society and a member of the Board of Trinity College at the University of Toronto. Brian was a dedicated husband and father. All his vacations were taken with his family, either on trips or at the cottage. He served as a Beaver leader for all his children in their early years and remained a thoroughly involved parent throughout his life. He took every opportunity to share with his family his love of music, theatre, reading, skiing, tennis and golf. Brian was always cheerful and had an unusual ability to make the best of any situation. No matter what the issue, he would approach every problem with insight and perception. His good humour, wit and generosity made him wonderful company. The family would like to thank their friends and colleagues for their kindness and support during Brian�s illness. The family will receive friends in ROSEDALE UNITED CHURCH, 159 Roxborough Drive, Toronto, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 22nd with a funeral service in the church at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 23rd. If desired, donations may be made to Pro Bono Law Ontario, www.pblo.org/support-us.cfm, or Trinity College at the University of Toronto, 6 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto, M5S 1H8, or The Pencer Brain Tumour Fund c/o Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, www.pmhf.ca.